Two limited 101-proof releases arrive for Spring 2026, including a rum-cask-finished Bourbon-Rye blend and the return of Wheel Horse’s acclaimed Double Oak Bourbon.
LOUISVILLE, KY. (June 2026) — Wheel Horse Whiskey is broadening its portfolio of limited releases with the introduction of Rum-Finished Double Mash, one of the brand’s most ambitious finishing projects to date, alongside the return of its annual Double Oak Bourbon expression.
The two 101-proof whiskeys showcase different approaches to secondary maturation, with one exploring the impact of multiple rum cask finishes and the other building additional complexity through custom-crafted oak barrels.
Both releases will be produced in limited quantities and distributed through Wheel Horse’s retail network in approximately 15 states.
A New Take on Double Mash Whiskey
The headline release is Wheel Horse Rum-Finished Double Mash, a blend of carefully selected Bourbon and Rye barrels designed to combine the strengths of two distinct mash bills.
The whiskey incorporates Bourbon distilled from a 70% corn, 21% rye, and 9% malted barley recipe alongside a high-rye 95% rye, 5% malted barley mash bill. After aging for a minimum of five years, the blend undergoes an extended finishing process lasting up to two years in three different styles of rum casks.
That finishing regimen is intended to layer additional sweetness and complexity onto the whiskey’s foundation. According to Wheel Horse, the resulting profile combines Bourbon’s familiar caramel and vanilla character with the peppery spice of Rye while introducing notes of brown sugar, tropical fruit, molasses, and baking spice from the rum barrels.
Only 2,000 bottles of Rum-Finished Double Mash will be released, making it one of the more limited offerings in the brand’s lineup.
The Return of Double Oak Bourbon
Joining the new release is the return of Wheel Horse Double Oak Bourbon, a seasonal expression that has become one of the brand’s most recognizable limited bottlings.
The whiskey begins with Bourbon aged for more than four years in new American oak barrels before spending up to eight additional months in custom finishing casks produced by ZAK Cooperage in Kentucky.
Unlike many double-oaked expressions that simply utilize another heavily charred barrel, Wheel Horse’s finishing barrels feature 18 to 24 months of open-air seasoned oak along with proprietary char profiles designed to deepen the whiskey’s flavor profile without overwhelming it.
The additional maturation is intended to amplify notes of toasted oak, caramelized sugar, vanilla, dark chocolate, and baking spice while adding greater texture and richness to the finished whiskey.
The release previously earned a 94-point rating from Wine Enthusiast, helping establish it as one of Wheel Horse’s most anticipated annual offerings.
The Spring 2026 edition will be limited to 2,500 bottles.
Why These Releases Matter
Secondary maturation and specialty finishing have become increasingly common across American whiskey, but Wheel Horse continues to explore those techniques while maintaining an accessible price point.
The Rum-Finished Double Mash stands out because it combines two distinct whiskey styles before introducing a multi-cask rum finishing process. The approach allows the brand to build complexity through both blending and maturation rather than relying on either technique alone.
Meanwhile, Double Oak Bourbon represents a more traditional expression of barrel finishing, emphasizing oak influence and enhanced sweetness while preserving the whiskey’s underlying Bourbon character.
Together, the releases showcase two very different interpretations of how additional maturation can shape a whiskey’s final profile.
The Whiskeys
Rum-Finished Double Mash
- Classification: American Whiskey
- Mash Bills: 70/21/9 Bourbon and 95/5 Rye
- Age: Minimum 5 Years
- Finishing: Up to 2 Years in Three Styles of Rum Casks
- Proof: 101 (50.5% ABV)
- MSRP: $40
- Bottle Size: 750mL
- Limited Release: 2,000 Bottles
Double Oak Bourbon
- Classification: Bourbon Whiskey
- Mash Bill: 70/21/9
- Age: 5 Years
- Finishing: Up to 8 Months in Custom ZAK Cooperage Oak Barrels
- Proof: 101 (50.5% ABV)
- MSRP: $40
- Bottle Size: 750mL
- Limited Release: 2,500 Bottles
“By aging Japanese single malt whiskies together with Kentucky bourbon in the same barrel, we’ve created something entirely new.”
— Dan Callaway, Master Blender for Bardstown Bourbon Company
Availability
Both the Rum-Finished Double Mash and Double Oak Bourbon are available through Wheel Horse Whiskey’s online store and at participating retailers in approximately 15 states nationwide.
Given the relatively modest bottle counts and the growing popularity of finished whiskey releases, availability may be limited in some markets.
The Bottom Line
Wheel Horse’s Spring 2026 lineup highlights two different paths to whiskey innovation.
The new Rum-Finished Double Mash offers an experimental combination of Bourbon, Rye, and multi-rum-cask maturation that should appeal to drinkers looking for something outside traditional category boundaries. The returning Double Oak Bourbon, meanwhile, provides a more familiar but proven profile built around amplified oak, sweetness, and richness.
At $40 MSRP, both releases remain positioned as accessible limited editions rather than luxury collectibles—a pricing strategy that continues to distinguish Wheel Horse in an increasingly crowded finished-whiskey market.
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